ASIA MINOR CAMPAIGN.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11696, 16 October 1916, Page 5

ASIA MINOR CAMPAIGN.

A CORRESPONDENTS SUMMING UP.

London, Oct. 14

Mr Philip Price, the Manchester Guardian’s correspondent at Tiflis, sums up the position in Armenia and Persia. . The Turkish evacuation of Erziugan provhed the preliminary to a big counter offensive extending fxom sonfb of tbe Armenia plateau to Eastern Persia. The Turkish plan was to draw tho Russians deeply into the western Euphrates Valley and then to tnrow the whole third army into the lake depression, while the left wing of the sixth army advanced and occupied Teheran. Abdi Pasha, commanding the third army, hoped to push north from the Mush plain and cut off the Russians between Erzeroum and Karsal. He commenced the offensive, sending 110,000 troops under Isset Pasha in three columns, which he arranged should converge near Khanas, south ot Erzercuni. General Yudenitch, however, managed to outflank Isset Pasha, who evacuated the Mush plain. A large Turkish force is now in the Upper Euphrates Valley connected with its base by bad roads. Isset’a power of offensive has been greatly reduced owing to the difficulty in getting supplies from Kharput. The situation in Persia is less satisfactory. Halil Pasha invaded Persia with 26,000 regular cavalry and infantry and 13,000 irregular Kurds, with German batteries and aeroplanes. The Russians, outnumbered, retired. The Turks now’ hold Haraadan, but do not attempt advance on Teheran, fearing a Russian counter offensive wdich threatened HaliPa'retreat on Bagdad.

CHINESE CONCESSIONS,

IN TERN AT A lON L RIVALRIES

CHINA’S HINT TO RUSSIA

Reuter. Received Oct. 16, 9.15 a.m

Pekin, Oct. 15

Japan and Russia have entered a protest agains.l concessions by tho Chinese Government to Americans for railway and canal construction. The Russian Minister claims that Russia has been promised the privilege or building railways in tha vicinity of Mongolia, but the Chinese Government replies that Germany must be defeated before such a claim holds good.